Larger chain shops would open two hours earlier Sundays under Labor government plan

Bigger chain stores would be allowed to open earlier on Sundays under a Labor plan to reform shop hours. But what about public holiday trading?

Larger chain shops would be allowed to open two hours earlier on Sunday under the new Labor state government, should legislation pass parliament.

Speaking candidly on the morning of being sworn in, Premier Peter Malinauskas said legislation to change shop trading hours would allow larger stores, such as Coles and Woolworths, to open from 9am on Sundays.

He said legislation would be presented to parliament in due course - however, the previous Liberal government’s changes to allow suburban shopping on public holidays would not continue.

Currently, shopping districts in the city, suburbs and Glenelg cannot open until 11am on Sunday.

Shops outside the CBD cannot open on public holidays, but specific retailers, such as hardware, furniture, floor coverings and automotive parts stores can open from 9am on those days, as well as exempt shops that fit a number of criteria.

“Public holidays will be public holidays under my government,” Mr Malinauskas told ABC Radio.

“Our policy on public holidays will be that the CBD will be open … and then the suburbs will be open on Boxing Day.”

But he said those in suburbia that wish to open on public holidays will be allowed to, as long as they are eligible.

Mr Malinauskas said the policy was aimed at achieving a balance between big businesses and smaller shops.

He said “basically every” small businesses would be able to open under the eligibility criteria if they wished to trade.

“That’s basically every single retailer in the state … on a shopping strip,” he said.

“Everybody else will be able to trade 24/7 days a week, 365 days of the year,” he said.

He said the new government intended to establish a “routine” opening of stores from 9am on Sundays.

A Coles spokesperson said the supermarket giant was pleased with the increased shopping options for its customers.

“Coles supports any extension in trading hours,” they said.

A Woolworths spokesperson said the company also welcomed the potential for more work for team members.

Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees’ Association secretary Josh Peak also welcomed the plan and said a balance between large and smaller business was key.

“We are incredibly pleased that there is no longer a 24/7 deregulation agenda being pursued in South Australia,” Mr Peak said.

SDA Secretary Josh Peak. Picture: Milly Schultz-Boylen

“And we look forward to working with the incoming government on how to make sure we keep the balance right in relation to trading hours.”

He said Labor was listening to “community desire” for additional trade on Sunday mornings.

“We know that’s been something that the community has been seeking,” Mr Peak said.

“And we certainly were eager to see a compromise under the previous government that would see them drop their 24/7 deregulation agenda, in exchange for some additional trading on Sunday morning.”

Business SA also backed the Premier’s proposal and said it reflected a change for which the body had been pushing.